Surname Spilken - Meaning and Origin
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Spilken: What does the surname Spilken mean?
The last name Spilken is of Jewish origin, derived from the Yiddish word for “glory” or “splendor” (shpil). It is a name found primarily in Germany, Austria, Slovakia, and the United States.
The roots of this name can be traced back to Germany, where the original Spilken family lived and worked in many different places, before the members of the family left for a better life in America.
The Spilken name carries a rich history. It is possible that it was derived from a profession or skill of their original German ancestors. It could be that they were proud tailors, jewelers, painters, or other professionals who were admired and respected in their community.
In America, where the family eventually settled, the Spilken name is revered as a powerful and successful symbol of Jewish identity. The Spilkens embraced a strong sense of religious fervor and advocated hard work, philanthropy, and involvement in the American ethos. The Spilkens forged a path that enabled Jewish people in the United States to find success in their communities and beyond.
Today, the Spilken name is still an influential force in the Jewish community, as it symbolizes a history of faith and success. It carries the legacy of hard work, religious devotion, and the idea that anything is possible if you work for it.
Order DNA origin analysisSpilken: Where does the name Spilken come from?
The last name Spilken is most commonly found in Germany. The origin of the name is derived from "Spil," - an old term used to describe a shallow dry lake. It was likely given to families living in such an area. The name can also be found across Eastern Europe, especially in countries such as Poland, Hungary, and Romania. In modern times, the Spilken surname can be found in the United States, Canada and other parts of the world with German emigrants who left their homeland in the mid-1800s. It is particularly common in areas with sizeable German populations. In the United States, the name is most frequently found in New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and California. These states have always been popular among German-speaking immigrants due to their strong German cultural ties. The Spilken surname is also 55th in popularity in Germany, with an estimated 23,000 individuals bearing it in 2020.
Variations of the surname Spilken
The surname Spilken is of German origin, with several variants and spellings. The most common German spelling is Spilker, which is also seen in the Netherlands, Luxembourg, and North America; this is the most commonly seen spelling variant. Other spellings include Spilken, Spilcken, Spilkin, Spilke, Spilcke, Spilcen, and Spillken.
In Germany, the Spilker surname is found mainly in the states of Hamburg, Lower Saxony, and North Rhine-Westphalia. It is also found in the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Denmark, and a small number of other countries.
The Spilker surname is thought to be derived from a locational name for someone originally from Spieke, in Spieke in East Frisia, a rural area located in Lower Saxony on the North Sea cost. The name may also be derived from a personal name such as the old German personal name Spelebald.
Variations of the Spilken surname are seen in several countries, such as Engelken in Germany, Van Spilken in the Netherlands, Spilkin in England, Speilghan in Ireland, and Spillken in Poland. The Sicilian surname Speilgianni is also considered to be a variant.
In the United States, the surnames Spilker and Spilken are found mainly in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York. Spillken is found mainly in the midwest and the south.
Overall, the surname Spilken is found in multiple countries and has variants in different languages depending on the region. It can also be found with a variety of spellings which all trace back to its German origin.
Famous people with the name Spilken
- Stella Spilken: singer-songwriter
- Gary Spilken: actor
- Paul R. Spilken: physician and professor of medicine at the University of Maryland School of Medicine
- Julie Spilken: writer and comedian
- Jerry Spilken: American football player and coach
- Raphael Spilken: journalist and lecturer
- John Spilken: Olympic pentathlete
- Egon Spilken: German film producer
- Theo Spilken: Dutch basketball player
- George Spilken: baseball player